Keswick to Legburthwaite 

via Castle Head, Derwent water, Lodore falls, Watendlath valley, High Seat, & Goat Crag.

13 miles 2900ft

Having left the bus just outside Keswick I walked down to Castle Head. At only 531ft it still affords some of the best views of Derwentwater and beyond

Looking south to Castle crag with Great End behind....

....an west to Causey pike....

....and hazy Grisedale pike....

....and the ever popular Cat Bells

Now looking north west over Keswick to Bassenthwaite....

....and Nicol End marina

I then continued along the lakeside path....

....passing the bench with the view down the lake....

....and zooming in from there to Castle crag & Great End again

Next came Calf close bay...

....before continuing to....

....the lower Lodore falls

A zig zag path climbs up from there to....

....the bridge over  Watendlath beck where it becomes the Lodore falls

I then began the pathless direct climb up High Seat as described in a walking book I'd read recently.....Never Again!!!!! It was an absolute brute of a pathless climb through deep heather and bracken. It's only virtue being the views across Watendlath valley....

....to such as here with Grange fell

After a long and exhausting climb I arrived at the summit 1995ft

Looking north to Derwentwater & Bassenthwaite

I then continued along the ridge towards Bleaberry fell... 

.....looking to Blencthra, but descided to miss out the summit and descend to Goat crag which I'd once climbed as as described by Wainwright....  

....that was my 2nd bad descison of the day! I wasted over an hour and a great deal of energy looking for the path, and this certainly wasn't it! 

I finally made it down to Shoulthwaite beck close to where I was parked, with a wistful look back at Goat Crag!!!!

A long day of contrasts. I'd been held up by a crash on the M6 for 45 minutes getting here and another 45 minutes on the way home by road works.

The walk as far as Watendlath was wonderful, but after that............

 Tebay to Shap via Shap Wells

13.5miles 1250ft

The river Lune passing under the west coast mainline railway at Tebay

Looking behind me to the east before climbing....

....to Nan hill with a view to a good's train heading north on the mainline with the M6 motorway behind

I was surprised to see this crucifix nailed to a tree my the side of the path....

.....I passed through a little gate to find this engraving

"Mark & Shelley Bainbridge"

The farmer was obviously happy with his winter silage supply!

The route continued beside the attractive Birk beck....

....with a view looking up to Coal Pit hill

Now crossing Birk beck to descend to Shap Wells....

....and the Shap Wells hotel....

There's a very good viewing area in grounds for seeing Red Squirrels but they were too quick for me to get a photo.

'Honestly'.....!

This is the Shap summit on the railway line where the extra engine in the day's of steam trains, was uncoupled from the train to descend and assist the next train

Soon after I passed though Shap quarry....

....and again....

....and it's associated reservoirs as I continued descending to.....

....the Lowther valley walking the rest of the way following the river Lowther....

....and stopping for lunch on its bank

A couple or so miles futher on I crossed the stepping stones that lead up to the village of Keld....

....with a view west to the Eastern lakeland fells....

....before finally arriving at Crown Inn on the main street for my lift back to Tebay 

It had been a poor forecast for walking this week hence this low level walk. However it did stay fine and wasn't a bad day at all. The walk also had plenty of interest.

I'm a trustee of a little registered charity that helps the poorest of the poor through some trusted friends in Rwanda. We have a website at:

www.rwandagrouptrust.org where there is more info about the charity and how to donate.

Also one of our trustees Clare & her brother David are taking part in a Triathlon this weekend to raise funds for the charity. If you are a regular reader of my blog it would be greatly appreciated if you could help the poorest of the poor by sponsoring her on Just Giving at:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-bamber-421?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=WA

A Northern fells circuit

Mungrisdale village, The Tongue, Bowscale fell, Bannerdale crags, Blencathra & Souther fell.

9.5miles 3100ft

Setting off from St Kentigern's church Mungrisdale

Looking up the Glenderamackin valley with a first view of Blencathra in the distance

Mungrisdale village from the steep climb up 

The Tongue

Bowscale tarn from The Tongue....

....Bowscale summit shelter with the northern most fells behind

Zooming in on Atkinson pike & Blencathra as the early cloud rises of the summit....

....with Bannerdale crags to the south....

....and Skiddaw to the west

Continuing on the path to Bannerdale crags....

....and on to Atkinson pike....

.....pausing briefly on Foule crag for a view down the Glenderamackin valley

The infamous Sharp Edge from where it emerges onto the Blencathra ridge below Atkinson pike....

....and again with Scales tarn....

.....and again zooming in along the ridge

A final look at it as I continued to.... 

....the summit of Blencathra, today's highest point 2848ft looking down to Threlkeld village

Zooming in on the northern end of Thirlmere....

....and Derwentwater

I then descended to Scales tarn.... 

....for my lunch....

After lunch I crossed Mousethwaite Combe onto Souther fell and looking back had this view of why Blencathra is also known as Saddleback!

I continued over Souther fell.....

....before starting the descent to....

....Mungrisdale village....

....passing the Mill Inn on the way to where I started.... 

....parked by St Kentigern's church

I started walking today at 7am and was able to enjoy this fabulous day's walking in the lovely summer's sunshine before the heat wave made climbing uncomfortable.